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Chelsea news: Kepa reveals why he SNUBBED Real Madrid and Juventus transfers
CHELSEA goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga says the Blues’ recent history of winning trophies convinced him to join the club.
Chelsea paid a staggering £72m for Kepa during the summer - a world record fee for a goalkeeper.
The Spaniard, 23, was expected to leave Athletic Bilbao heading into the transfer window, with Real Madrid and Juventus supposedly interested in his services.
Indeed, in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Kepa revealed what it was that convinced him to join the Blues.
He was asked: “There have been tempting offers from many clubs for years: Real Madrid, Juventus… So what made Chelsea different to get the 'yes’?”
I’m happy for all the effort that Chelsea made
Kepa replied: “It is a great club, which in recent years has won the Champions League, Europa League, the Premier League.
“It is a team with great players.
“It was an important bet and I am happy to take this step, I want to enjoy it.”
Kepa’s future was the subject of much speculation heading into the World Cup, with suggestions he was open to snubbing interest from Real, Chelsea and Juve and sign a new Bilbao contract instead.
Asked by AS about the possibility of him remaining at Bilbao, Kepa said: “In the end I always had my head first on the World Cup and then the rest afterwards.
“I started the preseason with Athletic and it was weeks before Chelsea showed their interest.
“There were talks and everything was carried out.
“I’m happy for all the effort that Chelsea made because it's not easy to pay those amounts and I'm looking forward to returning it to the field.”
Chelsea's Kepa faces problem over 'shambles' defence says Nicol
Kepa’s transfer fee of £72m smashed the world record for a goalkeeper - and days after the deal Liverpool signed Brazilian Alisson in a £68m deal.
Asked if the prospect of his boyhood club receiving a cash windfall influenced his decision to leave, Kepa said: “I do not know.
“In the end it's true that it takes you away from home and from the circle in which you've always grown up.
“It is important for my career. It's true that I'm going to another league, I would only face Athletic in European competition and that would be a good sign for both clubs.
“It may be. But above all what weighed is the interest and what Chelsea showed for wanting to sign me.”